HC asks Thackeray brothers to settle will dispute amicably

The Bombay High Court today asked Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged brother Jaidev to amicably settle the dispute over the will left by their father, Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray.

Uddhav Thackeray

Bal Thackeray, who passed away in November 2012, bequeathed a major share in the family estate to Uddhav while cutting out Jaidev completely. Jaidev has challenged Thackeray's will, saying that his father was not of sound mind at the time of signing it. Justice Gautam Patel today asked both the brothers to settle the dispute amicably and posted the matter to December 17 when they are expected to inform their decision.

"It is in the interest of both the parties to settle amicably," said the judge. Earlier today, advocate F D'souza, a witness to the will, said during a cross-examination by Jaidev's lawyer Seema Sarnaik that Bal Thackeray had read the draft of the will thoroughly before signing it.

Its legality was explained to him and he did not want any changes when he signed it, D'souza added. To another question, he said he did not remember how many times he had visited `Matoshree' (the Thackeray residence) and whether he had signed the visitors' register there.